The road North.
 

Hi
I have read tons of threads with almost every one of them pertaining to travelers coming from EU and heading down South through Africa.
Well, I am going the opposite direction - leaving around May 2014 then traveling from South Africa up North in a Landrover Defender, hoping to see as much of Africa before crossing over to Europe.

I plan to travel up as far as Sudan and here, is where contemplating the route starts.

1)Ferry from Suakin to Jeddah(that is if I can get across with a RH drive 4x4), and drive up to Aqaba, this way I get to see SA, alternately ferry across to Aqaba onto Jordan then somehow on to Turkey.

2)Was looking at Egypt(Port Said) or Tunisia(Port Tunis) and the possibilty of this.

3)Or, another option(as it seems plan B and C are inevitable in the
forums) :) this is going via Egypt/Algeria to Morocco port of Mellila or Ceuta and ferry over to Spain.

So, a few questions to ponder.

1) What is the standing situation regards RH drive vehicles crossing into SA??

2) With the situation in Syria at the moment(and I know this can change at any time) what is the best(and most inexpensive) way to get from Jordan to Turkey?
3) Is Port Said a good option?? or from anywhere else in Egypt.
4)Has anybody had any experience with shipping from Port Tunis? and its customs etc. and
5) the ports of Melilla or Ceuta?
5) traveling on a South African passport, what are the implications, re carnet and visas particularly if going through Algeria and also for schengen country's.

Thx

I have heard that requires trailering but even then can end in tears...

these are the least complicated.

Alg/Mk border has been closed for nearly 20 years.

Tunis is a regular port with roro ferries just about daily to Genoa and Marseille (pricier) and probably some other Italian ports too. Not done that since the revolution but this ought to be the easiest way to get out of North Africa (10x less aggro than Egypt, I suspect).
(Melilla or Ceuta (Spain) are even easier, but you won't be in Morocco)

You could actually ferry out of Algeria too: Algiers to Marseille or Oran to Alicante for example, but good chance that by that stage you won't have the will power to go through the Algerian visa dance ;-)

Aim for Tunis; all you have to do is transit Libya.

Ch

Thx Chris
Very informative....will definitely consider these options.

Personally, I'd stay away from Algeria, Libya and Egypt for now. Too much political turmoil. Unless you specifically want to see one or more of those countries.

Take the west side of Africa and cross at Ceuta (Spanish enclave in Morocco). Easy as any ferry crossing, buy the ticket, drive on board, sit around for an hour and a half or more depending on the boat (try not to get too seasick), drive off!

Hey Cruiser.

Good point!! that was actually the original plan but according to some travelers threads, Central and West Africa looked like no-go areas, a majority seemed to think it a tad more difficult and risky.
Also a worrying factor is the Desert... and of course the rainy wet weather around May/June

Which route would you recommend to get to Ceuta or Melilla?.

I am on a non-time frame and want to see as much of Africa as is possible before actually crossing over to Europe.
Thx

I'd hustle through Nigeria and steer clear of northern Mali for now but other than that I think West Africa is better politically speaking than Egypt or Libya.
I'd take any route that strikes your fancy and stays away from those couple of areas.
We'll be heading south from Germany as far as Sierra Leone some time next spring before settling in The Gambia.